question about tires
 

Hi I am thinking about replacing the tires on my bike. I ride a specialized vita for commuting to work 20miles rt. Most of it is on a main road with a wide shoulder, some of it is city riding. At this point I have the original tire on the back of the bike that came on the bike(specialized all condition). The front tire was changed last year to a type of tire that has a thicker tread but supposed to be flat in the center for smoother riding. The original tires gave the bike what seemed to me a quicker ride. I want a quicker smoother ride but I do not want flats all the time. I got two flats last year within a week of each other that is why the front tire was changed. The repair person suggested I use this type of tire. I brought the bike in this am for a tune up and I spoke to the repair man(different shop) he suggested I use a tire called the continental touring plus tire. He said it would be good for commuting and I would not get flats. I am wondering is it going to give me the same smooth ride as the specialized all conditions tires? This repair person also said flats are more prevalent on the back tire than the front tire. Any suggestions on a good commuting tire would be appreciated.

You've got a couple of choices. I have the Panaracer Ribmo's on my bike. Not the quickest tires but very flat resistant. I've heard the Schwalbe Marathon line are really good. I myself am looking into the Panaracer T-serv's or Schwalbe Big Apples. I think the Specialized Armadillo's are supposed to be very flat resistant, but not the greatest ride quality.

I don't know if Big Apples would fit on a Vita, and not sure if they're offered in 700c. I own a pair on my MTB, they're great tires. For their size they run fast (an improvement over my 1.5" slicks previously), and goatheads don't even phase them.

I second Schawlbe Marathon. You can get the fastest type, the Racer, which will probably also be the most comfortable (the wider the better), or Marathon Plus, which adds the same flat protection that the Big Apples have but will be the least comfortable of all mentioned. Marathons are offered in a variety of tread patterns. Kojaks are really fast and supple too, but they're pure slicks, so you gotta stick to roads.